Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Just a little bit snowy
This week, you'll find a little explainer on what exactly a TIF is, which will hopefully brace you for hearing about them a whooooooole lot next month. You'll also catch the latest on Lincoln County's approach to data centers, find a ton of local events and some Super Simplified headlines.
And now, news:
COUNTY
Lincoln County shuts down data center moratorium
Simplified: The Lincoln County Commission on Tuesday night voted against a resolution to set a one-year moratorium on the construction of any new, hyperscale data centers. Instead, commissioners on a 3-2 vote opted to ask the planning and zoning department to take a closer look at the existing rules and processes in place.
Why it matters
- Commissioner Joel Arends brought the resolution after seeing the outcome of a failed referendum in Sioux Falls. That referendum would've let the public vote on whether to uphold the City Council's decision to rezone property in northeast Sioux Falls to pave the way for a new, hyperscale data center.
- However, petitioners failed to get the necessary signatures to get it on the ballot.
- Arends said the moratorium would have allowed Lincoln County to take a more proactive approach to setting policy around data centers on the front end – "not at second reading," when it's too late, he said.
- Commissioners Tiffani Landeen, Jim Schmidt and Betty Otten disagreed with Arends' approach, saying the county already has zoning regulations and limitations on where a data center could operate in the county. They also noted a desire to, as Landeen put it, "guide growth, not halt it."
"Frankly, tonight, folks, I haven't seen anybody demonstrate an emergency or a lack of regulation or an imminent threat that would justify the moratorium for me," Landeen said.
Tell me more
CITY
What's a TIF? And how does it relate to Smithfield's move?
Simplified: Tax-increment financing, or TIF, is going to come up a lot in the coming weeks as the city looks to approve a $90 million TIF district to offset Smithfield's relocation costs. So, let's unpack it and clarify what a TIF is, why it's used and what we know about the specific TIF being discussed for Smithfield's new pork processing plant in Foundation Park.
Tell me more
A TIF – short for "tax-increment financing" – is a way to use the extra tax revenues a new development brings to offset the developer's costs.
- TIFs are used in nearly every state (except Arizona) according to the Council of Development Finance Agencies. It's a very common tool in economic development because it gives businesses an extra incentive to choose one location over another.
The "increment" in tax-increment financing refers to the difference between what the owners of a property (in this case the new Smithfield plant) pay in property taxes and what the property taxes were before that building was there.
- That increment is then used to pay back the developer for the costs associated with infrastructure, getting the site ready, or other qualifying expenses.
- So, it's a little bit like the developer is paying taxes to themselves for the 20-year TIF duration.
I have so many more questions...
That's OK. You'll find more answers here!
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Commissioners give thumbs-up to Smithfield TIF. The Minnehaha County Commission on Tuesday were briefed on the potential impacts of tax-increment financing due to Smithfield's planned move to Foundation Park. Commissioners don't have any authority to approve or deny the TIF, but they did express support for the city to move forward with the project.
- "It just makes sense," Commissioner Dean Karsky said. "I think the TIF is absolutely appropriate and the right thing to do and keep it moving."
- Good news for downtown businesses. Two downtown retailers received Backing Small Businesses grants. Terra Shepherd Boutique and Say Anything Jewelry will each receive $10,000 to expand and support their businesses.
- Camp Leif Ericson 🤝 Zoo. The Sioux Falls Family YMCA this week announced a new partnership between Camp Leif Ericson and the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium. Beginning this summer, campers ages 6 to 9 will visit the zoo as part of their camp experience. Learn more and register for camp here.
- ❤️ Don't forget your ticker. February is American Heart Month, and Avera Health this week sent out a reminder to schedule a cardiovascular screening – especially if you're a man 40 and older or a woman 45 and older OR if you have a history of heart disease in your family. You can learn more and schedule a screening here.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Feb. 25-March 3
- Waltz for Whittier. Dance the night away for a good cause Friday night at the Waltz for Whittier event at the Little Stone Church on Sixth Street. For a recommended $15/person donation, you can learn how to waltz and then dance to a variety of songs – including some other lessons and line dancing throughout the evening. Details here.
- Hang with moms. The Elevated Motherhood Summit takes place Saturday at Landscape Garden Centers – bringing a day of empowerment, inspiring speakers and networking opportunities (Bonus: speakers include friends of the newsletter Jada Dobesh of Selah Space and Kelsey Whitesel aka Sioux Falls Mom). Snag your tickets here.
- Grab a beer. Downtown Sioux Falls' annual Mash Madness kicks off Sunday and runs all month long. Details here. And, if you're more of a South-sider, you can also swing by Williquors Saturday to try some Bierstacheln, i.e. beer poking, in which a hot metal rod is plunged into the beer and caramelizes the sugars. Details here.
- Refresh your closet. EmBe is hosting it's winter clothing sale benefitting Dress for Success. It's a chance to shop secondhand professional clothing, shoes, jewelry, bags and more. You can shop 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday or 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at EmBe's downtown location. Details here.
- Get crafty. The Wildflower Den in Harrisburg is hosting a class for beginners to learn the basics of punch needle art. The two-hour class kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday. Details and registration here. Or, if Friday night is your preferred craft time, there's also a knitted flower workshop at 6 p.m. at Lava's. Details here.
- Get jazzy. Augustana University is hosting the 51st annual Jazz Fest on Monday and Tuesday in the Hamre Recital Hall on campus. This year's guest performer is classic jazz vocalist and trombonist Aubrey Logan. Details here.
- Talk about death. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, find community and talk about the inevitable at Cafe Mortel Saturday morning. Hosted by the Nourish Collective, this "death cafe" aims to "increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." It's all going down at Transitions Doula and Life Services. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
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Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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